Rep. Angelica M. Jimenez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey domestic violence protection orders (TROs) and related victim notices to be available in multiple languages, not just English. Specifically, it mandates that court notices and temporary restraining order templates be prepared in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in the state. The Administrative Office of the Courts must create these multilingual materials to ensure victims with limited English proficiency can understand their rights and legal options. This directly affects domestic violence victims who speak languages other than English, improving access to critical legal protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) certified in other U.S. states, territories, or Puerto Rico to work in New Jersey without retaking certification exams, provided their home state's standards meet or exceed New Jersey's. It requires all applicants to undergo a criminal history background check through state and federal databases, with disqualification for convictions involving violence, arson, drug offenses, or other specified crimes. Existing EMTs must also complete this background check during their next recertification. The law mandates biennial background checks for all certified EMTs as part of renewal.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5281, approved as P.L.2023, c.250) eliminates the position of constable in New Jersey by removing all statutory references to constables from state law. It directly affects constables (who are being phased out) and updates legal procedures that previously involved constables, such as property distraints, court processes, and arrest protocols. Key provisions replace every instance of "constable" in existing statutes with "sheriff" or remove the reference entirely, shifting responsibilities to sheriffs. The bill implements a recommendation from a state commission report to modernize outdated law. It does not create new legal powers but adjusts existing procedures to reflect the elimination of the constable role.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program authorizing $1 million annually in state grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. The grants fund purchasing and rehabilitating abandoned homes for homeless veterans, as well as modifying existing primary residences for eligible veterans with disabilities or low income. Eligible veterans must be homeless (living in shelters, temporary housing, or without legal occupancy rights) or low-income (earning ≤50% of median household income). Grants can cover accessibility modifications (like ramps), home repairs, and energy-efficient upgrades that reduce utility costs by 10% or more.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1181 requires public high school and charter school students (starting with the 2023-2024 grade 11 class) to complete and submit a financial aid application as a graduation prerequisite, unless they qualify for a waiver. Students or their parents/guardians may request exemption via a signed waiver form, or school counselors may authorize exemptions for under-18 students when parental consent cannot be obtained. Schools must provide resources (like webinars and guides) to help students and families complete the application, and must annually notify families of this requirement. The bill ensures no student faces academic penalties for using an approved exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecommunications and cable companies, as well as other entities owning lines, to remove abandoned lines (defined as those not used for 24 consecutive months or not maintained safely) and mark lines attached to buildings with their ownership details. It mandates that entities either correct or remove abandoned lines within 12 months of the bill's effective date and mark new or existing unmarked lines on structures with their name or identifier. Property owners and the Board of Utilities can request removal of suspected abandoned lines, with entities required to respond within five business days. The law applies specifically to above-ground lines used for telecommunications or cable service, excluding certain connected lines in residential/commercial areas.